No abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-arginine supplementation in lactation diets on the productive and reproductive performance of pluriparous sows and their litters. Seventy-six sows of the same genetic line were assigned to four treatments in a completely randomized design with 19 replicates. The experimental unit was the sow and its respective litter. Treatments comprised a control diet (no L-arginine supplementation) and other three diets obtained by top dressing the control diet with 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% of L-arginine. L-arginine supplementation had no effect on any performance variables, body condition, milk production, or weaning-estrus interval. There was a quadratic effect on percentage of protein and fat in milk as well as on the daily production of these components. Protein and fat percentage declined during lactation. Adding L-arginine to the diet had a quadratic effect on piglet weight at 13 and 21 days, the optimal level of L-arginine supplementation being estimated as 0.64% and 0.71%, respectively. L-arginine supplementation had a quadratic effect on the weight gain of piglets during the first 13 days and on total period of lactation, the optimal level of L-arginine supplementation being estimated as 0.60% and 0.70%, respectively. Supplementing lactation diets with 0.70% of L-arginine, corresponding to 45 g day −1 , improves the weight gain of piglets by improving the nutritional quality of sow milk.

No abstract

No abstract

The aim of the study was evaluate the ability of adaptation of seven different genetic lines of free-range broilers to a semi-intensive raising system. Four hundred and twenty chicks of the Pescoço Pelado (PP), Carijó (CG), Colorpak (CPK), Tricolor (TRC), Caboclo (CBC), Gigante Negro (GNG) and Pesadão Vermelho (PS) genetic groups were used. At 28 days of age the birds were allowed access the paddocks and after three days of adaptation the monitoring of the animals has started, being performed behavioral visual observations from 07:00 to 17:00. Cloacal temperature (CT) and respiratory rate (RR) were collected once a week. The environment was monitored considering the temperature, relative humidity and black globe temperature at various points of the paddocks and the shed. The physiological variables were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with a split plot arrangement. Behavioral variables were analyzed using nonparametric Friedman test. Birds of Carijó and Colorpak genetic line presented greater RR, 34.6 mov/min and 36.0 mov/min respectively, compared to the birds of the Caboclo and Gigante Negro genetic line, 29.0 mov/min and 28.4 mov/min respectively. The average values of RR and CT for all genetic lines were higher in the afternoon. At 7:00 and 17:00 the foraging behavior was more intense. The Caboclo and Gigante Negro genetic line were those that stood out in the behavior of foraging, consequently, they are more able to adapt to the semi-intensive raising system.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and digestibility of diets containing different levels of crude propolis for growing rabbits. Forty-eight New Zealand White rabbits, 43 days old, of both genders, were used, distributed in a completely randomized design. There were four diets with different inclusion levels of crude propolis (0.0; 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5%). There was no statistical difference for performance regarding the inclusion levels of crude propolis (p = 0.85), as well as for the variables dry matter consumption, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber (p ≥ 0.07). Crude protein consumption showed a statistical difference in relation to gender (p = 0.04): males showed higher consumption. However, final weight, total weight gain, daily weight gain and feed efficiency were not influenced by the addition of crude propolis (p ≥ 0.37). Dry matter digestibility, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were not influenced by the inclusion levels of crude propolis in the diets (p ≥ 0.12). This study indicates that the inclusion of raw propolis up to 1.5% in the diets does not affect the performance parameters of rabbits.

No abstract

Objetivou-se caracterizar o mercado consumidor de carne suína no município de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais. Foram selecionados aleatoriamente 360 consumidores para as entrevistas. Fatores como